Study In Autumn

This is a study for a painting of Lowther Castle in Cumbria. Lowther Castle was built at the turn of the 19th century but in 1957 the castle was demolished. Just the façade and outer walls remained standing and for over half a century, the place was empty – home only to chickens, pigs and the odd bat. The gardens were lost to wilderness. More recently it has been reclaimed and is now a visitor attraction with a difference. The ruins remain, and the gardens grow within them, creating the perfect backdrop of the effects of nature on the manmade and the power of the elements. The study is looking at how the elements interact with the castle and merge in colour, form and weather to create the final piece.

Today Lowther Castle is one of the most intriguing visitor attractions in the country. Dramatic ruins, gardens within gardens, an adventure playground to rival the best in the land.